Stirling County v Ayr preview

Ayr head to Bridgehaugh for their penultimate BT Premiership match, kicking off at 3pm against Stirling County on Saturday. The fixture was postponed at the start of December after Storm Desmond caused havoc, and both teams will be keen to take to the pitch, especially after all league ties were cancelled last week. They last met in September when Ayr won 55-21, but it will be a different kettle of fish this time as seventh-placed County play hosts and will be eager to put in a strong performance to keep them out of the danger zone in the table.

'Bridgehaugh is always a tough place to go,' says Ayr head coach Calum Forrester, 'and we expect much the same this weekend against a Stirling side looking to try and secure their place in the BT Premiership.'

Although there has been no competitive run-outs since the start of the month, Ayr have been training well over the last couple of weeks and name an almost unchanged side from the one that beat Selkirk a fortnight ago.

The only addition is Lewis Anderson, who takes the place of the unavailable James Malcolm at hooker. Flanker Andrew Dunlop and front row replacement Stuart Fenwick add experience to the bench.

For the second season running, the two sides will compete for the Cairdeas Quaich, kindly provided by sponsors United Auctions, which marks the long-time friendship between the clubs. With Ayr having won it three times, Stirling County have the added incentive of trying to claim the silverware for themselves.